Six and the City!
Things like a 1-6 or an 8-2 do not happen every weekend. Sure, Barcelona and Real Madrid regularly hammer the smaller Spanish club by a margin of five-six goals, even eight at times. But something like this is not a common feature in the Premier League, especially when teams within the Top five-six are thrashed by another opponent vying for the same spot.
So it was with much happiness and delight that I watched Manchester United at the end of an epic mauling, for a change. And who were the opponents? The noisy neighbours, the sky-blue club of Manchester, the 'real' club of Manchester, those who had lived in the shadow of their bigger rival for the past four decades. 1-6 was the scoreline. At Old Trafford, the Theatre of Dreams. United seemed helpless, almost dazed by Vity's quality and verve they brought into attack. They poured forward relentlessly and it appeared that United's shaky and leaky defence had little ammunition to douse the fires. David Silva, as always, was City's Xavi. He threaded perfect passes, danced around on twinkle toes, created magic, played defence-splitting passes I have seen Xabi play. James Milner had another inspiring match yesterday, linking attack and midfield efficiently. So did the defence, with Micah Richards being simply outstanding.
Well, I can write a longer match summary. I can analyse the match and the tactics of the two managers to death. But the point is, I don't want to do that. Right now, I want to revel in the loss of United. Gloat and point my finger and laugh in a way one normally does at their asshole-boss, who has pissed on you long enough. I support Liverpool. And the two clubs have been sworn enemies since the medieval and modern species of football came into being. And I guess every Scouser is born and brought up to hate United for what they are worth. I, too, am a sworn ABU. For the uninitiated, an ABU is Anyone-But-United. Whenever United is playing, I will support the opponent. Until now, in my living memory, I have never wanted United to win/draw a match, have fiercely wanted them to lose. Yes, I do recognise they have a super manager and a super squad, and that tremendous mentality to challenge for the top spot year in, year out. Yes, I do respect and like some of their players -- legends like Solksjaer (who doesn't like the Norwegian?). But when it comes down to business, I would always want a United defeat. And it was epically sweeter when their unbroken home run came to an end at the hands of Mancini's City, a club with a small mentality, as branded by Sir Alex Ferguson. Needless to say, the small club did put up a huge score on the board.
Is this a shift of power in Manchester? I'd say it's too early to write anything. 40 years of success, power and progress over a rival cannot be wiped out or equalled in a couple of seasons, not even in five. It will take City a good 8-10 years to get near United and their glittering trophy cabinet. Yes, I would like that to happen. And I will eagerly wait and pray for that day to come when Fergie finally retires and another manager steps in. It could be the end of the era.
Until then, I will await another Manchester derby. Who knows? It could throw up another unexpected result the next time.
So it was with much happiness and delight that I watched Manchester United at the end of an epic mauling, for a change. And who were the opponents? The noisy neighbours, the sky-blue club of Manchester, the 'real' club of Manchester, those who had lived in the shadow of their bigger rival for the past four decades. 1-6 was the scoreline. At Old Trafford, the Theatre of Dreams. United seemed helpless, almost dazed by Vity's quality and verve they brought into attack. They poured forward relentlessly and it appeared that United's shaky and leaky defence had little ammunition to douse the fires. David Silva, as always, was City's Xavi. He threaded perfect passes, danced around on twinkle toes, created magic, played defence-splitting passes I have seen Xabi play. James Milner had another inspiring match yesterday, linking attack and midfield efficiently. So did the defence, with Micah Richards being simply outstanding.
Well, I can write a longer match summary. I can analyse the match and the tactics of the two managers to death. But the point is, I don't want to do that. Right now, I want to revel in the loss of United. Gloat and point my finger and laugh in a way one normally does at their asshole-boss, who has pissed on you long enough. I support Liverpool. And the two clubs have been sworn enemies since the medieval and modern species of football came into being. And I guess every Scouser is born and brought up to hate United for what they are worth. I, too, am a sworn ABU. For the uninitiated, an ABU is Anyone-But-United. Whenever United is playing, I will support the opponent. Until now, in my living memory, I have never wanted United to win/draw a match, have fiercely wanted them to lose. Yes, I do recognise they have a super manager and a super squad, and that tremendous mentality to challenge for the top spot year in, year out. Yes, I do respect and like some of their players -- legends like Solksjaer (who doesn't like the Norwegian?). But when it comes down to business, I would always want a United defeat. And it was epically sweeter when their unbroken home run came to an end at the hands of Mancini's City, a club with a small mentality, as branded by Sir Alex Ferguson. Needless to say, the small club did put up a huge score on the board.
Is this a shift of power in Manchester? I'd say it's too early to write anything. 40 years of success, power and progress over a rival cannot be wiped out or equalled in a couple of seasons, not even in five. It will take City a good 8-10 years to get near United and their glittering trophy cabinet. Yes, I would like that to happen. And I will eagerly wait and pray for that day to come when Fergie finally retires and another manager steps in. It could be the end of the era.
Until then, I will await another Manchester derby. Who knows? It could throw up another unexpected result the next time.
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